A WELL-LOVED retired taxi driver died from a heart attack outside his home just minutes after being given the all-clear by his doctor.

Alan Porter, who had undergone a heart by-pass operation 12 years ago after a heart attack in 1991, had worked for several taxi firms in Heywood for the past 20 years and was one of the regulars from Eagle Cars who used to take disabled children from Birtle View school on their annual Blackpool outing.

The operation, in which every valve in his heart had to be replaced, forced him to retire from the job. But according to wife, Dustine, there were no further complications and he lived an active life.

However on Tuesday 13 September, the 63-year-old, who moved to Bolton in 1999 from Claybank Street, went to see his GP after complaining of chest pains.

After being checked over by the doctor, Mr Porter drove back to his home just minutes from the surgery. A postman found him lying next to the car and he was pronounced dead by paramedics, who said he had suffered a massive heart attack.

Dustine, who was visiting her son David in Sheffield at the time, said Alan had phoned her on the Tuesday morning saying he was going to see the doctor as he had chest pains.

She said: "I can't believe this has happened. Alan had never had any problems after the operation and would have even carried on with his taxi driving if the specialists hadn't told him to take things easier."

According to Dustine, 62, Alan loved his job and was well-known around Heywood and especially to the youngsters at Birtle View, who looked forward to their outings.

"He was a real people person, which is why I think he loved his job so much, and would do anything for anybody," said the former receptionist who married Alan just six weeks after they first met.

Alan leaves children, Karen, David and Anthony and two grandchildren, Arlena, 13 and 15-year-old Liam, who was one of the pallbearers at his funeral.

He was buried at Heywood cemetery next to his other son, Alan Jnr, who died tragically in a fire in 1976 aged four.